fb pixel

RACING

CLASSES

中國香港帆船運動總會

On this Page:         CENTREBOARDS             KEELBOATS            MULTIHULLS

9 RACING 9 Racing Classes

Racing  Classes

There is a wide range of dinghy, keelboat and cruiser classes raced in Hong Kong. All are listed below with direct links to their own Hong Kong (where available) web site or facebook page etc.

CENTREBOARDS:

29er

The 29er is a two-person youth high performance dinghy. With a single trapeze and asymmetric spinnaker it is a youth flying machine that is taking off throughout the world.

CREW: Double-hander
SKILL LEVEL: Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 120 – 140 Kgs
TRAPEZE: Single
LENGTH: 4.4 Metres
SAIL AREA: 30m²

49er racing class dinghy
49er

The 49er  is a two-handed high-performance sailing dinghy. The two crew work on different roles with the helm making many tactical decisions, as well as steering, and the crew doing most of the sail control. Both of the crew are equipped with their own trapeze and sailing is done while cantilevered over the water to the fullest extent to balance against the sails.

CREW: Double-hander
SKILL LEVEL: Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 145-165 Kgs
TRAPEZE: Double
LENGTH: 4.5 Metres
SAIL AREA: 59.2m²

420 racing class dinghy
420

A double handed trapeze boat with symmetrical spinnaker, the 420 is the world’s top youth training boat. It has built in buoyancy tanks that make the boat very safe even when inverted.

CREW: Double-hander
SKILL LEVEL: Improving Skills/Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 110-145 Kgs
TRAPEZE: Single
LENGTH: 4.2 Metres
SAIL AREA: 22m²

470 racing class dinghy
470

The 470 is a popular class with both individuals and sailing schools, offering a good introduction to high-performance boats without being excessively difficult to handle, but it is not a boat designed for beginners. Its smaller sister, the 420, is a stepping stone to the 470.

CREW: Double-hander
SKILL LEVEL: Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 110-145 Kgs
TRAPEZE: Single
LENGTH: 4.7 Metres
SAIL AREA: 25.2m²

 Laser racing class dinghy
Laser

The Laser is a highly popular family of small one-design sailing dinghies using the same common hull and interchangeable rigs with different sail areas. The Laser is designed to be sailed single handed although class rules permit two sailors.

CREW: 1-2
SKILL LEVEL: Novice to Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 55 Kgs
TRAPEZE: Toe Straps
LENGTH: 4.2 Metres
SAIL AREA: 7m²

Laser Pico racing class dinghy
Laser Pico

The Laser Pico is used primarily for training and day sailing. It can be crewed by one or two children or an adult. Current models come equipped with both a mainsail and a jib.

CREW: 1-3
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 60-80 Kgs
TRAPEZE: No
LENGTH: 3.5 Metres
SAIL AREA: 6.7m²

Optimist racing class dinghy
optimist

 The ‘Opti’ is one of the most popular sailing dinghies in the world. Intended for use by children up to the age of 15, its size/forgiving nature make it good for introducing sailors at an early age. Recognised as also providing a foundation to the physical, technical and racing skills needed in competitive racing.

CREW: Single-hander
SKILL LEVEL: Start/Basic Skills
WEIGHT RANGE: 38- 50 Kgs
TRAPEZE: NO
LENGTH: 2.36m
SAIL AREA: 3.3 m2

RS 2000 racing class dinghy
RS 2000

The  RS 2000 (formerly the Laser 200) part of the RS perfomance range. With many features found in modern performance racing classes, such as a gennaker and a self draining cockpit, the 2000 combines exhilirating sailing with easy handling that inspires confidence.

CREW: Double-hander
SKILL LEVEL:  Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 100-150 Kgs
TRAPEZE: No
LENGTH: 4m
SAIL AREA: 20m

RS Feva racing class dinghy
RS Feva

A popular boat in Hong Kong, the Feva is a double-handed asymmetric boat with a flexible rig configuration. The boat is suitable to be sailed by two young sailors or by adult and child teams, as well as being suitable for single-handed sailing.

CREW: Double-hander
SKILL LEVEL: Basic Skills/Improving
WEIGHT RANGE: 60–100 Kgs
TRAPEZE: No
LENGTH: 3.4m
SAIL AREA: 15m²

RS Quest racing class dinghy
RS Quest

An all purpose boat, the Quest is big enough for an instructor and 2 or 3 pupils – perfect for Mum or Dad and youngsters – small enough to handle easily ashore and afloat. Beginner sailors are encouraged by the Quest’s stability and ease of handling, while those looking for more advanced training can practice performance skills, like using a spinnaker.

CREW: 2-4 
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 100-200 Kgs
TRAPEZE: No
LENGTH: 4.29m
SAIL AREA: 22m²

RS Tera racing class dinghy
RS Tera

The RS Tera is a great boat to get kids hooked on sailing. It’s quick and simple to rig by youngsters, it’s tough and it’s two sail sizes mean small novices and experienced teenagers love the RS Tera equally.

CREW: Single-hander 
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 30-70 Kgs
TRAPEZE: No
LENGTH: 2.87m
SAIL AREA: 3/5m²

Topper racing class dinghy
Topper

A single-handed boat with standard or reduced sail options. A prominent feeder into the Youth Classes. It is popular as a racing boat or for sail training

CREW: 1-2
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 30-70 Kgs
TRAPEZE: No
LENGTH: 3.4m
SAIL AREA: 4.2/5.3m²

2.4 metre racing class
WASZP

 The concept behind the Waszp was to create a foiling platform that enables closer one-design racing, less complex rigging, affordable to all sailors while being accessible to a wider range of ages and weights. Oh, and to add more excitement to our lives!

CREW: Single-hander
WEIGHT RANGE: 40-95kgs
SKILL LEVEL: Advanced
LENGTH: 3.35m
SAIL AREA:  8.2m²

KEELBOATS

2.4 metre racing class
2.4 METRE

The 2.4mR is one of the best, most fun single handed boat to sail. It can be as tactical, technical, and fast as you want it to be. Since the helmsperson sits down in the boat facing forward with all the trim controls within arms reach, the sailing is not physically demanding and racing is done in one open class with men, women, young and old, able and disabled sailors racing together. Some have called this boat “the great equaliser” because it really levels the playing field for sailors of all ages and abilities.

CREW: 1
LENGTH: 4.1 – 4.35m
DRAFT: 1m
SAIL AREA: 8.2m²

2.4 metre racing class
Dragon

The Dragon is a one-design fixed keel, 29-foot, three-person, classic-designed sloop and is made of wood or glass fibre. It is well known for its long keel and elegant metre-boat lines which remain unchanged from when it was  designed in 1929. The class is well representd in Hong Kong with class  races or sailing every weekend.

CREW: 2-4
MAX WEIGHT: 285 kg 
LENGTH: 8.9m
DRAFT: 1.2m
TOTAL SAIL AREA: 51.3m²

2.4 metre racing class
ETCHELLS

The Etchells is a big, fast, simple, stable, and sleek racing sloop that can be sailed competitively and in comfort by three or four average sailors. It can tack in 70 degrees and has a low wetted surface hull form that keeps moving in the slightest breeze. In 20+ knots it absolutely flies. The strict one-design principle of the class was established from the outset and is controlled by a strong, established and well-administered class association. 

CREW: 2-5
LENGTH: 9.3m
DRAFT: 1.37m
SAIL AREA:  27.6m²

Flying Fifteen drawing
FLYING FIFTEEN

The boat is 6 metres long and the 15 refers to the original waterline length – 15 feet (4.57m). 

The Flying Fifteen is an exciting, competitive two person one-design racing boat. The lines still have a timeless quality and the clever keel shape allows easy launching & retrieval without cranes or lifting of keels. The Flying Fifteen is a fun, fast and exhilarating boat to sail by crew combinations of all sizes, genders and ages and can be towed behind the family car!

CREW: 2
LENGTH: 6.1m
DRAFT: 0.76m
SAIL AREA:  28m²

IMPALA

The Impala is a great boat for both racing and cruising. 155 Impalas were built in total, of which over 100 are still active today, approx 15 in Hong Kong, with many of the rest in the UK,

CREW: 1-6
LENGTH: 28ft
BEAM: 9’3″
DRAFT: 5’4″ 

2.4 metre racing class
J80

The J/80 is a one design sportsboat that is both easy to sail and safe, but also thrilling and capable of reaching 20 knots downwind. It combines simplicity of operation, confidence building stability and sparkling performance whilst being an affordable, low maintenance and trailerable package!

CREW: 3-5
LENGTH: 8m
DRAFT: 1.49m
SAIL AREA:  106.3m²

2.4 metre racing class
SPORTSBOATS

Hong Kong’s high performance keel boat class, featuring large sail plans and light displacement planing hulls, Sportsboats can only be described as fast and fun. A myriad of designs are brought together under a single measurement based rating system that recognises their unique characteristics and provides close, low cost racing.  Many of the boats are family friendly and suitable for beginners to pro crews. Sportsboats in Hong Kong include: VX OneMagic 25SB20GP 26Longtze and Fareast 23R.

CREW: 2-4 (Racing)
SAIL AREA:  large!
TRAPEZES / HIKING AIDS OR WINGS

2.4 metre racing class
RUFFIAN

The Ruffian is a 23-foot keelboat cruiser and racer. The boat is a robust design, having been designed and constructed with sailing in the Irish Sea in mind. 

The Ruffians of Hong Kong are an active and friendly class with a full racing programme. Ruffians are also an ideal day boat for cruising, or even overnight sailing in Hong Kong waters

CREW: 1+
LENGTH: 23ft
SAIL AREA:  m²

MULTIHULLS

F18 catamaran racing class
RS cat 14

This beach catamaran is perfect, not only for training and recreational sailing, but also as a true performance pathway class boat. The 14 is small enough to go singlehanded – even with jib and gennaker. And its big enough for a full family cruise with two adults and a child. 

CREW: 1-3
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 40-120 Kgs
TRAPEZE: 1
LENGTH: 4.35m
SAIL AREA: 19.2m²

F18 catamaran racing class
HOBIE 16 CATAMARAN

The beach launched Hobie 16 revolutionized multihull sailing, bringing the sport to legions of speed-loving sailors. The catamaran’s lightweight, asymmetrical fiberglass hulls provide lift and its dual-trapeze rig lets you and your crew member harness its sheer power.

CREW: 1-4
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 140 Kgs
TRAPEZE: 2
LENGTH: 5.04m
SAIL AREA: 20m²

F18 catamaran racing class
FORMULA 18 CATAMARAN

The Formula 18 class, abbreviated F18, is a formula-design sport catamaran class. It was started in the early 1990s and quickly grew getting class recognition by World Sailing, with large racing fleets all over the globe.

CREW: 1-4
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced
WEIGHT RANGE: 180 Kgs
TRAPEZE: Helm and Crew
LENGTH: 5.52m
SAIL AREA: 42.3m²

MEMBER CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS

Racing Resourses